My Country: A Syrian Memoir

Kassem Eid's memoir, "The White Helmets," is a powerful first-hand account of the brutal civil war in Syria, which has claimed the lives of up to 500,000 people. Born to Palestinian refugees, Eid grew up in Moadamiya on the outskirts of Damascus and realized he was treated differently at school because of his family's resistance to the government regime. When the 2011 Arab Spring protests in Syria were met with extreme violence, Eid joined the Free Syrian Army to fight government forces.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 224 pages
Publication date: 11 July 2019
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

Kassem Eid's journey is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit in the face of unimaginable adversity. Born to Palestinian refugees in the small town of Moadamiya on the outskirts of Damascus, Kassem faced discrimination and hardship from an early age. However, his family's unwavering resistance to the brutal government regime fueled his determination to fight for a better future.

When Bashar al-Assad succeeded his father in 2000, Kassem held onto the hope that things would change for the better. But the reality was far different. The 2011 Arab Spring protests in Syria were met with extreme violence, further escalating the country's descent into civil war. As Kassem approached young adulthood, the situation worsened, and he witnessed the devastating impact of the conflict on his homeland.

On August 21, 2013, Kassem's life took a dramatic turn when he nearly died in a sarin gas attack that killed hundreds of civilians. The experience left him traumatized and determined to take action. He joined the Free Syrian Army, determined to fight against the government forces that had caused so much destruction.

Kassem's journey is a powerful and humbling account of a brutal civil war that has claimed the lives of as many as 500,000 people. His memoir, "The White Helmets: A Memoir of Resistance and Survival," offers a unique perspective on the conflict, shedding light on the lives of ordinary Syrians caught in the crossfire.

The book is a testament to the resilience and courage of the Free Syrian Army, a group of volunteers who risked their lives to protect their fellow citizens from the horrors of war. Kassem's story is a moving portrayal of the human cost of conflict and the importance of resistance and survival.

Critics have praised "The White Helmets" for its powerful storytelling and for humanizing the story of war. The book provides a valuable perspective absent from much of what has already been written on Syria, offering a comprehensive and nuanced view of the conflict.

In conclusion, Kassem Eid's journey is a testament to the human spirit's resilience and determination in the face of adversity. His memoir, "The White Helmets: A Memoir of Resistance and Survival," offers a unique perspective on the Syrian civil war and sheds light on the lives of ordinary Syrians caught in the crossfire. The book is a powerful and important contribution to our understanding of this complex and devastating conflict.

Weight: 162g
Dimension: 131 x 197 x 12 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781408895139